Christian Living
This area allows you to see all the articles in one place.
Love
| January 1, 2014We all have our own ideas of what we think love is. The apostle Paul writes this on the expression of love:
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things (I Corinthians 13:4-7).
Knowing and Experiencing the Holy Spirit
| January 1, 2014As church goers and claimers of the Christian faith, I'm sure we have heard of the Holy Spirit. But how many of us can really claim to know the Holy Spirit? Even if we claim to know Him, how many of us are experiencing Him in our day to day lives? Is the Holy Spirit real to you? Have you ever sat and talked with Him like you might talk to a spouse or very dear friend? Does He speak to you?
Journey of Life
| October 31, 2013Life is like a journey where we learn a lot of lessons to prepare us for the life to come. These lessons come as experiences and tests along the way. God says that if we are faithful over a few things, He will make us ruler over many things.
Keywords: amish, change, god, heart, lessons, life is like a journey, map ministry, mission to amish people, norma miller, tests, unconditional love | 0 comments
Multitudes, Multitudes in the Valley of Decision
| October 31, 2013I believe we have entered a crucial time of decisions. The decisions being made today are setting the stage for our eternal rewards-or the lack of them. The final harvest is upon us. We see this depicted in the church of Laodicea as this article will show.
A Content Mom
| August 28, 2013When we seek our own things first, and try to put them before our children, husband, or God, we only end up spinning our wheels and becoming exhausted.
Keywords: children, christian living, husband, map ministries, mission to amish people, mom, motherhood, norma miller, parents | 0 comments
The Coming Great Harvest
| August 28, 2013In the great coming harvest, God will be calling forth an untold multitude that He has been grooming in the wilderness. These unknown men and women, coming from the most unlikely places, will go into the fields boldly, bringing in the harvest.
Keywords: amish voice, anabaptist, ben girod, bible discussion, god, harvest, map ministry, mission to amish people | 0 comments
Pride and It's Consequences
| August 28, 2013Jonathan Edwards wrote this about pride over 250 years ago: Pride is much more difficult to discern than any other corruption because, by nature, pride is a person having too high a thought of himself. Is it any surprise, then, that a person who has too high a thought of himself is unaware of it? He thinks the opinion he has of himself has just grounds and therefore is not too high. As a result, there is no other matter in which the heart is more deceitful and unsearchable. The very nature of it is to work self-confidence and drive away any suspicion of evil respecting itself.
Keywords: bible discussion, eli stutzman, humility, james 4:6, jonathan edwards, mission to amish people, nebuchadnezzar, pride, satan, uzziah | 0 comments
Bodily Resurrection: Can It Possibly Be Real?
| July 1, 2013Throughout Christian history, no event stands out as sharply as the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many in that day could not believe that such an event really took place. In all the funerals you and I have witnessed, death has always been final. Simple reasoning tells us that the resurrection is impossible. But God had a plan. Death would lose its sting, and the grave would lose its victory.
God is Our Provider
| July 1, 2013Times are tough right now, and many of us are learning to distinguish what we really need from what we merely want. Many of us need to wait when we would like to DO something, like buy flowers or clothes. Sometimes we are at the end of the money, but not nearly at the end of the needs. Then one more need occurs to make the situation look even more impossible. Sometimes we become anxious and worried, and our blood pressure rises, and we cry out, "God, what are we going to do?"
Keywords: amish voice, believe, christian living, faith, headship, lynn miller, map ministry, mission to amish people, provision, seek, worry | 0 comments
Just How Much Does the Lord Love You?
| July 1, 2013To know just how much the Lord loves us, we need to take a look at what love really is. Quickly: what is the opposite of love? Like nearly everyone else, you probably said, “Hate is the opposite of love.” Actually, according to 1 John 4:18 fear is what we have when we don’t have love. ...but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
“Really? Fear?” you say. Think about it. Because God is love, if we don’t have Him, what do we have?
Keywords: amish voice, bible discussion, enemies, fear, jeremiah martin, love, map ministry, mission to amish people | 0 comments
In Hopes of a Good Harvest
| July 1, 2013“Mother, we are planting good seed here, aren’t we?” “Why, yes,” Sadie answered. “It’s the same seed that always yields praise-winning produce.”
“That’s just it. In Genesis I read that God made everything to produce fruit after its own kind. Can’t I believe that if I read God’s holy Word that it will help me produce godly fruit?
A Brief Treatise on Faith
| May 1, 2013Defining faith as it pertains to a Christ-based belief can be a challenging task. What faith means to one person is not necessarily what it means to another. After centuries of Christendom, there are as many definitions of faith as there are denominations or even people.
A Healthy Bride
| May 1, 2013We would do well to pause for a time from our many activities and consider where we stand in our spiritual life, to see whether or not we've made any progress in the last year, or years.
Children of Who?
| May 1, 2013The apostle Peter wrote his second epistle to stir up the people's pure minds by way of remembrance (2 Peter 3:1). My heart's intent, as I begin to write this letter, is to stir up the minds of God's people, especially the brethren among the Amish and other Anabaptist descendants who attempt to preserve the faith of our forefathers.
What does the Bible say about going to war?
| April 21, 2013Since the Bible clearly states "Thou shalt not kill", how can going to war and killing be justified?
Justified by Faith Alone Or By Faith Plus Works?
| April 6, 2013Faith is invisible. You cannot see it. Therefore, we, as men and women have to watch and see what kind of works flow from the one who says s/he has faith. As mere human, we can only judge by their actions. Actions then confirm whether that person's faith is real. In James 2:18 we read: "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works."
The Fruit of The Spirit
| March 1, 2013Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Wouldn't it be great to live a life with all of these wonderful characteristics coming from within you on a daily basis? What would a life filled with constant and overflowing joy look like? Do you know someone who walks in complete peace, regardless of the turmoil that is going around them? How about that gentle person in your life?
Rekindle The Fire
| March 1, 2013The book of Galatians is one of those books of the Bible that has been of tremendous influence in my life. In the other letters to the churches, specifically 1 and 2 Corinthians and Colossians, Paul wrote concerning immoral practices that needed to be purged from the church. The church at Galatia had a different problem. It was the same thing that so often happens when churches lose their spiritual zeal: they default to legalism. Martin Luther said, "Religion is the default mode of the human heart." Religion enslaves, and the pure gospel of Jesus Christ sets us free. Anyone, regardless of birth or creed, can be set free.
Sunday Christians
| March 1, 2013Many believers have very little to do with God outside of their time in church on Sunday morning. Very few churchgoers seem to have a good understanding of scripture and, in fact, not many even take their Bible to church. The preacher can tell them almost anything and they will nod their heads in agreement. After the service, it is often hard to find people who are interested in discussing biblical matters as their interests are more in whatever else is going on in the world and in their lives.
Seasons and Times
| March 1, 2013It is November; the leaves are mostly down, and we are busily raking them. The smell of smoke can often be found in the air. The crisp outdoors gives us a sense of foreboding...cold, wintry days are on their way and will soon be upon us. We feel the urgency of preparing so we are not caught unaware.
Keywords: amish, amish voice, inspirational, map ministry, mission to amish people, norma miller | 0 comments
Wild parties and sex before marriage: What does God say about it?
| February 5, 2013More and more young people who have left the Amish are sleeping together and having sex before they are married. Wild parties and getting drunk seem to be the norm. Sadly, many who are involved in sex and beer parties even claim they prayed a prayer and got saved.
Keywords: drunk, drunkedness, former amish, fornication, joe keim, sex before marriage, wild parties, wrath of god | 4 comments
Winter Seeds and Summer Roses
| January 1, 2013The last few months have been wild with the challenges, stresses, and hurdles that come with being a family of seven who are learning to grow and surrender to God's plan. Things can seem downright overwhelming as we all know very well, and it takes a lot of focus and determination at times to keep our spirits and courage up so we can keep going.
Keywords: amish, christian living, former amish, map ministry, mission to amish people, norma miller | 0 comments
Separation From The World (Part 2)
| November 1, 2012In Separation from the World, Part I, I wrote: “One of the [main] beliefs maintained by the plain people surrounds separation from the world. In fact, while studying our rich culture, I discovered that if you look past that one belief, the average plain person isn’t [all that] different from any other person alive.”
Keywords: amish, ex-amish, former amish, jeremiah zeiset, map ministry, mennonite, mission to amish people, plain people | 0 comments
The Value Of Building On A Rock
| November 1, 2012Matthew 7:24-27 says: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Keywords: amish, christian living, eli stutzman, ex-amish, map ministry, mission to amish people | 0 comments
Finishing the Course - Keeping the Faith
| November 1, 2012The first time I met Dan Byler, I knew right away he and I would be friends for life. He was a man on fire for God who burned with a passion to reach world for Christ. You see, he understood all too well what it was like to be lost and searching for true meaning in life. And he never forgot what it felt like when Jesus reached down from heaven, loved him unconditionally, forgave him of his sins and freely gave him everlasting life.
The Two Covenants
| September 1, 2012As Israel stood around the foot of Mount Sinai and waited for the law to be given, they experienced sights and sounds that were very frightening to a group of slaves that had just been freed. What a trip! Just a few days ago they had been serving Pharaoh and his slave masters. Now they were in the presence of the God of all creation!
Separation From The World (Part 1)
| September 1, 2012Having a plain background myself, I tend to spend a fair amount of time studying the ways of the plain Amish and Mennonites. One of the primary definitive cultural beliefs maintained by the plain people surrounds separation from the world. In fact, while studying our rich culture, I discovered that if you look past that one particular belief, the average plain person isn't different from any other person alive.
YOU Are Very Special!
| September 1, 2012Did you know there are as many different kinds of relationships as there are people? How can that be? Well, God is going to have a relationship with you that is tailored to meet your needs! His relationship with you, or your relationship with Him is going to be different from every other person's relationship with Him! That is how intensely personal our God is.
Is Christ In Your Box?
| July 1, 2012I went to visit an Amish friend in the hospital. While waiting to go into her room, I had an opportunity to talk with her husband and relatives, ultimately leading to a discussion about heaven. I shared with them how I was born again and how it freed me when Jesus came into my heart. As they listened, I could tell some disagreed.
Keywords: amish, amish voice, christian living, denominations, faith, map ministry, mission to amish people, salvation | 0 comments
My Mess Is Turned to Beauty!
| July 1, 2012I'm in bigger trouble than I have ever thought possible, as I look over my life, my marriage. I see broken pieces of glass all shapes and sizes. They overwhelm my soul and mind as I stand here looking so helpless into this tin can, digging through it getting cut and bruised. In desperation I cry-hot tears streaming down my face. What am I to do "Lord", I silently scream. I can't fix this. It's to broken.
